Brutale
| Brutale | |
|---|---|
|
Brutale. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Nightwing #22 (July 1998) |
| Created by | Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Guillermo Barrera |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Abilities | Expert knife thrower |
Brutale (Guillermo Barrera) is a DC Comics supervillain.
Fictional character biography
Brutale was a top-level interrogator/torturer for the secret police in the fictional Latin American country of Hasaragua, until a revolution forced him to flee. In his native Hasaragua, Guillermo Barrera served the secret police of his government as a savage interrogator, extracting confessions efficiently with blades and tools used for surgery. When the Marxist regime of Hasaragua fell, Barrera escaped the country to America, fleeing execution for the atrocities he committed.[1]
Adopting the name Brutale, Barrera put his 'Surgical Skills' to use as a hired assassin. He eventually began working for Blockbuster II in Blüdhaven while donning a costume that resembles a gargoyle. He battled against Nightwing on several occasions.
In the Infinite Crisis storyline, Brutale was among the villains that joined Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.
In the Salvation Run storyline, Brutale was among the supervillains exiled to another planet. When the Parademons under Desaad's command attacked the camp, Brutale was stabbed by one of them.[2] However, he was seen alive in the new Secret Six mini-series.
Brutale is featured in one issue of the Red Robin series. He is listed as one of the targets of Tim Drake-Wayne/Red Robin for his "Hit List". Red Robin catches him at a bar, attempting to terrorize the owners into paying fees due to a gang boss. He is accompanied by what Red Robin assumes is his 'girlfriend', who manages to escape as Red Robin takes Brutale down using his Escrima sticks.
In The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), Brutale shows up in the first issue of Blue Beetle where he appears to be working for La Dama's group who are attempting to steal the scarab.[3]
Powers and abilities
Brutale has no superhuman powers; however, he is an expert with all forms of knives and blades, being able to both fight superbly and inflict horrible pain on his victims. He has a variety of scalpels, throwing knives and other razor keen blades that he utilizes.[1]
In other media
Guillermo Barrera appears in the 16th episode of Arrow's first season, entitled "Dead to Rights", portrayed by George Tchortov. He is hired by China White to assassinate Malcolm Merlyn, despite having been involved with his target's secret society Undertaking. Arrow intercepts him as he arrives in Starling City and after a brief struggle, stabs Barrera in the chest with an arrow, and takes his phone. Guillermo does not wear a costume and the name of Brutale is never mentioned, but he is an expert knifethrower. He also is mentioned by a thug in the Arkham Knight video game, who claims to have worked with torturing someone. In Superman/Batman Public Enemies Brutale is among the super villains trying to collect the bounty on Superman's head.
References
- 1 2 Jimenez, Phil (2008), "Brutale", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 62, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5
- ↑ Salvation Run #7 (July 2008)
- ↑ Blue Beetle (vol. 3) #1 (November 2011)